L090 Panaque Bathyphylus

Here’s a focused and reliable care guide for the L090 Panaque bathyphilus, commonly referred to as the Papa Panaque—a big, powerful, wood-eating pleco with serious space and care needs.

L090 Panaque bathyphilus (Papa Panaque) Care Guide

Common Names:

• Papa Panaque

• L090

• L090c (regional variants may have sub-codes)

Scientific Name: Panaque bathyphilus
Origin: Upper Amazon and Ucayali River basins, Peru
Size: 16–18 inches (40–45 cm)
Lifespan: 15+ years
Temperament: Peaceful, but territorial with other large plecos

Tank Setup

• Tank Size: 180 gallons minimum for adults

• Substrate: Sand or smooth gravel

• Decor:

  • Driftwood is essential—they eat it and use it as shelter

  • Heavy rocks, large caves (they're big and like to wedge themselves in tight spaces)

  • Layout must be stable—they’re strong and bulldoze decor

• Plants: Usually not practical—can be uprooted or damaged

• Lighting: Low to moderate

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 78–84°F (25–29°C)

• pH: 6.0–7.5

• Hardness: Soft to moderately hard (3–15 dGH)

• Filtration: Heavy-duty—these plecos produce a lot of waste

• Water Changes: 40–60% weekly—critical to keep water clean

Diet

• Feeding Style: Obligate xylivore (wood eater) + omnivore

• Staple Diet:

  • Driftwood (must be always available)

  • Sinking omnivore or algae wafers

  • Fresh vegetables (zucchini, cucumber, sweet potato, spinach)

  • Occasional protein (shrimp pellets, bloodworms)—not too much

• Feeding Frequency: Daily; remove uneaten food to avoid fouling water

Behavior & Tankmates

• Temperament: Generally peaceful, but may claim and defend territory

• Activity: Mostly nocturnal or low-light active

• Tankmates:

  • Other large, peaceful fish (Severums, Uaru, large tetras, big peaceful cichlids)

  • Avoid: Other large Panaque or bottom dwellers unless tank is huge with multiple hides

• Social Note: Doesn’t need to be kept in groups—best alone or with compatible fish

Breeding

• Extremely rare in captivity

• Presumed Breeding Type: Cave spawner in strong current, like other Panaques

• No reliable home breeding reports as of now

Care Tips

• Driftwood is non-negotiable—they digest it as part of their diet

• Strong filtration is a must—wood digestion = heavy waste load

• Stable decor layout—they’ll rearrange if it’s not secured

• Needs room to turn, hide, and grow—don’t underestimate adult size

• Watch for barbel wear or eye clouding—signs of poor substrate or water quality

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